Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

Acute cholecystitis was initially considered a contra-indication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but today the laparoscopic route is generally used even for severe acute cholecystitis. Several studies have shown that this is possible, although the conversion and complication rates are high, but there are no randomised controlled trials that evaluate the complications and costs of this technique compared with conventional open techniques. The timing of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is also a matter of debate as well as its use in elderly patients with this condition.